Inspiring Women

Sue Ebeler accepting the award from Kelly Brown on stage.

Sue Ebeler wins 2024 Women & Philanthropy Impact Award

  • by Courtney Tompkins

For Sue Ebeler, M.S. ’85, Ph.D. ’93, the most rewarding part of her career isn’t the research awards or the international recognition — it’s the students whose lives she has changed.

As a professor of viticulture and enology and associate dean of Undergraduate Academic Programs in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Ebeler has spent more than 30 years at UC Davis building a culture of belonging, mentorship and opportunity. Her leadership has empowered countless students — especially women — to find their place and thrive.

Women & Philanthropy Speaker Series presents Impact & Influence: Women Shaping the Future With Philanthropy

VIDEO: Impact & Influence: Women Shaping the Future with Philanthropy

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Sallie-Grace Tate, Executive Director for Women & Philanthropy at UC Davis, as we explore the transformative role of women in shaping the future of philanthropy. In this engaging session, we will highlight the innovative ways in which women are driving change, challenging traditional giving models and creating lasting impact in communities around the world.

Women & Philanthropy Speaker Series presents Transitions as Opportunities: Revive, Rethink, Relaunch

VIDEO: Transitions as Opportunities: Rewire, Rethink, Relaunch

Join us for an empowering conversation on redesigning your life with passion and purpose. Join us for an empowering conversation on redesigning your life with passion and purpose. We invite you to rethink how you approach life's changes and view transitions as opportunities to explore rather than challenges to overcome. Expert life coach and Aggie alumna, Laura Francis, will introduce strategies for rewiring your thoughts and breaking old patterns. Discover actionable goals so you can build a roadmap to a renewed sense of purpose and direction. Get ready to relaunch with clarity and confidence.
A yellow background with text that reads "Women & Philanthropy‹s Speaker Series presents Mantras for life: Trusting your gut, your voice, yourself"

VIDEO: Mantras for Life: Trusting Your Gut, Your Voice, Yourself

Join us for an inspiring discussion on the power of self-trust and embracing authenticity, led by the dynamic Amy G., a prominent sports journalist, broadcaster, podcaster, author and fellow Aggie alumna.

Together we journey through Amy's remarkable career trajectory, from her roots in media broadcasting to her influential status today. Be prepared to be captivated by her stories of resilience, determination and triumph, leaving you entertained and ready to embrace your own voice with confidence!

Women & Philanthropy's Speaker Series Presents: From Plant Pathologist to Dean: Nurturing Growth & Inspiring Change

VIDEO: From Plant Pathologist to Dean: Nurturing Growth and Inspiring Change

Hala Kurdi Cozadd facilitated a conversation with Dr. Helene Dillard, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Blossoming beyond her childhood curiosities of plants, mold and mildew, their discussion explored her journey of collaboration and commitment from plant pathologist to distinct, multi-faceted community leader and retiring dean. 

Learn more from this 'spore'tacular conversation as Dr. Dillard shares insights, challenges and triumphs that have led to her legacy of positive impact on the UC Davis community and women in her field. 

LeShelle May presents Colleen E. Bronner, associate professor of teaching, with the 2023 Women & Philanthropy Impact Award on Sunday (Nov. 5).

Engineering professor wins 2023 Women & Philanthropy Impact Award

  • by Courtney Tompkins

At commencement, she congratulates every student by name — then they ask for a hug.

She spearheaded the drive to establish an undergraduate environmental engineering major at UC Davis, knowing women are drawn to the field.

And in the words of her department chair: “She cares passionately about creating opportunities for others and institutionalizing the change needed to allow women and other underrepresented persons to thrive in engineering.”

Misty Copeland smiling wearing black top and crossing arms in front of yellow background

Ballerina Misty Copeland to speak at UC Davis

  • by Clémentine Sicard
American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland will headline a public symposium on women, philanthropy and mentorship on Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, University of California, Davis. The event will also feature a panel discussion with notable UC Davis alumnae Tickets are on sale now.
Diane Bryant ’85 cuts the ribbon to open the Engineering Student Design Center that bears her name as Chancellor Gary S. May, mechanical engineering major Tichada Tantasirikorn and Dean Richard Corsi look on. (José Luis Villegas/UC Davis)

An engineering center for all

  • by Cody Kitaura

UC Davis students now have expanded access to advanced engineering equipment, in a space all their own, largely because of a woman who looked beyond the career paths her parents laid out for her.

Chancellor Gary May, Deb Neff, Dean Mark Winey and Kimberly McAllister pose for a photo outside in front of a university campus building with a green lawn.

Alumna Deb Neff gives $8M to biological sciences

  • by Clémentine Sicard
Life sciences industry expert Deborah Neff ’76 is giving $8 million to the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences for two endowments, one for the deanship and the other for the Center for Neuroscience for research into Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The gift is the largest by an individual in the college’s history.
A shiba inu with shaved fur poses for the photo while on a leash. The dog is in a veterinarian's office.

Bringing cures to complex cases

  • by Clémentine Sicard
In 2019 Gayle Brock brought her dog, Kitsune (Kit), to her local veterinarian in Nevada because the seven-year-old Shiba Inu had been acting lethargic. Brock knew something was wrong when Kit, who was typically very energetic, was too tired for her favorite activity: playing at the park.
historical photo of Katherine Esay in 1977. She has her hands folded and is leaning on lab-grade equipment at a plant biology lab.

A gift grows on

In 1988, a 90-year-old alumna and former faculty member gave $648,000 to UC Davis to establish an endowment that would fund plant research fellowships in perpetuity. Still driving discovery today, her gift demonstrates the power of an endowment to benefit the world for generations.
Professor Leigh Ann Simmons accepts the inaugural impact award at the podium.

Professor Leigh Ann Simmons wins 1st Women & Philanthropy impact award

  • by Clémentine Sicard
Leigh Ann Simmons, professor and chair of the Department of Human Ecology, has won the inaugural Women & Philanthropy Impact Award at the University of California, Davis, in recognition of her work in mentorship and leadership, and efforts on behalf of women’s health.